Avila surprises Swedes, 35-19

Tuesday

Oct 2, 2012 at 9:27 AMOct 2, 2012 at 9:29 AM

Bethany's football team falls in nonconference action

Staff Reports

LINDSBORG — The Avila University Eagles are winless no more.The Eagles, who came into Saturday’s game with Bethany College 0-4, overcame five turnovers and a 19-7 deficit by scoring the final 28 points in a 35-19 upset of the Swedes at Anderson Stadium.The Swedes fell to 2-3 on the season and make their return to KCAC play Saturday at Saint Mary with a 1-2 record.After spotting the Eagles a 7-0 lead, the Swedes scored 19 straight points on a pair of Kevin Retchless field goals, a 15-yard scoring pass from Darby House to James Johnson and a plunge right by Tevis Linnebur.But with 4 seconds left in the first half, Avila scored on a Jacob Hicks flip to Courtland Bourland, and then put up 21 unanswered points in the second half.Avila, which lost to the Swedes 30-13 last year, shredded Bethany for 583 yards on a whopping 82 plays, while the Swedes had 343, with Linnebur rushing for 108 and House throwing for 214 yards. D’Andre Thompson led with six catches for 55 yards.STATISTICSBethany Listed FirstFirst Downs — 20, 37. Rushes-Yards — 31-129; 38-357. Passing — 18-39-2-214; 23-34-2-226. Punts-Avg. — 4-41.0; 1-36.0. Fumbles-Lost — 1-1; 4-3. Penalties-Yards — 8-78, 7-76.INDIVIDUALLEADERSRushingBethany — Linnebur 24-108, House 4-11, Johnson 1-8, Grist 1-2.Avila — Kreisman 14-137, Hicks 9-68, Muder 8-68, Russell 13-82.PassingBethany — House 18-39-2-214.Avila — Hicks 23-34-2-226.ReceivingBethany — Thompson 6-5, Johnson 5-85, Martino 5-65, Franco 1-5.Avila — Sullivan 9-57, Dunston 3-40, Bourland 3-23, Kreisman 2-44.